Regional stakeholder consultation

New strategic plan for Fiji’s tax administrator

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has unveiled its new strategic plan outlining the Service’s strategic priorities and roadmap for the 2023 to 2025 period. FRCS chief executive officer Mark Dixon said the new plan was designed to provide clear direction to all clients, customers and partners, and to highlight the service’s future actions...

An evening of history for council members

The Fiji New Zealand Business Council (FNZBC) hosted its members to a networking event last week to commemorate both Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna day and Girmit day. The cocktail event was held on June 2 at the Fiji Museum in Suva, allowing attendees the opportunity to absorb the historic knowledge held within the museum’s walls....

Vehicle dealer goes cashless

Fiji’s leading vehicle dealer Asco Motors has gone cashless in its effort to tap into the more-advanced mode of payments in a modern economy. Its chief executive Ronald Kumar says customers are adapting well to the system since the company started implementing the cashless payment system last week. “If you look at more advanced economies,...

Top recognition for resort

Turtle Island Resort, the all-inclusive private island located in Yasawa, has again been recognised for its exceptional hospitality service by scooping the prestigious 2023 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. These awards placed the luxury five-star property among the best hotels worldwide and rank the resort as one of the top luxury and...

Women in agriculture: Only 11.2 per cent have savings account

Only 11.2 per cent of women involved in Fiji’s agriculture have savings account. While speaking at the launch of the Building Capacity for a Fair and Inclusive Organic Movement by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) in Nadi, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Sashi Kiran said this indicated women’s contribution...

Prasad shares celebrations budgets

Approximately $155,000 was used on the National Economic Summit out of a budget of $360,000, says Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Prasad. He made the comments while speaking at a budget consultation at Tavua College last week. “We are informing the public of what we are doing and where we are in...

Ex-NBCUniversal executive Joe Benarroch to join Twitter

(Reuters) -Former NBCUniversal executive Joe Benarroch will join Twitter on Monday, in a role focusing on business operations, he told Reuters. Benarroch said in an email that he was looking forward to working with the company’s team to “build Twitter 2.0 together.” “Welcome to the flock, @benarroch_joe! From one bird to the next,” tweeted incoming...

Return of Fiji Airways to ASPA ‘important’

The return of Fiji Airways as a member of the Association of South Pacific Airlines marks an important part of the regional body’s efforts to develop the aviation industry in the Pacific. ASPA general secretary David Tohi said Fiji Airways provided valuable insight into the industry that many of the regional airlines could learn from....

Vision for Leadership Fiji

Vision Investments Ltd has forged a new partnership with Leadership Fiji, an organisation aimed at assisting emerging leaders. The partnership was formally signed on June 2, 2023. Leadership Fiji chief executive officer Sharyne Fong said, “witnessing the progress that our country has made, we are finding a lot of our alumni are making a difference,...

650 aircraft orders made

About 650 orders of Boeing aircraft have been made by airlines in the Asia Pacific region, says Boeing Commercial Marketing managing director Asia Pacific Dave Schulte. “Our forecast shows across the region, about 650 new deliveries of airplanes and the majority of those will be for replacement of the older aircrafts,” he said. “If we...

Central bank to investigate BSP

The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) is set to conduct investigations into BSP once its completes the process for its core banking migration. This comes after business houses called for the central bank to investigate BSP’s failure to fix their banking system and services after the ongoing issues with their services following the rollover...

New Security Warning Issued For Google’s 1.8 Billion Gmail Users

The security of Gmail has always been one of its biggest selling points, but now one of its most important new security features is actively being used by hackers to scam users Introduced last month, the Gmail checkmark system highlights verified companies and organizations to users with a blue checkmark. The idea is to help users discern...

Governments race to regulate AI tools

(Reuters) – Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT are complicating governments’ efforts to agree laws governing the use of the technology. Here are the latest steps national and international governing bodies are taking to regulate AI tools: AUSTRALIA * Seeking input on regulations The government is consulting Australia’s main science...

Board lists priorities

THE Public Rental Board (PRB) is driving up initiatives to tackle its lengthening waiting list of low-income individuals hoping for the board’s assistance in securing housing. PRB board chair Isikeli Navuda said that while the waiting list was a priority concern for the board, the real numbers may be found to be lower upon assessing...

Superior taste award

AQUA Pacific has been recognised with the highly coveted 2023 Superior Taste Award by the International Taste Institute. According to the company this significant achievement is a testament to its unrivalled quality and commitment to providing consumers with the finest natural water. In a media release issued yesterday Aqua Pacific’s chief executive officer Altaaf Jamal...

Workshop addresses evolving changes in cybersecurity

VT Solutions in collaboration with their Cybersecurity partner Chillisoft New Zealand, hosted the Fiji tech industry for an exciting week of technical training, meetings and presentations centred around digital defence and the latest offerings from their cybersecurity partner, Eset. The event brought together industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals to address the evolving challenges in...

Narrow bodied aircraft for the Pacific

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is looking to push its narrow bodied 737 aircraft in the South Pacific where the company forecasts a growth in passenger traffic. Boeing Commercial Marketing managing director Asia Pacific Dave Schulte said short and medium-haul flights continue to be a popular choice for travellers within the region making the single aisle aircraft...

Grant to uplift MSME sector

THE newly launched Business Link Pacific Business Support Grant will contribute positively to uplift the MSME sector and help improve the standard of living of the people, says Assistant Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel. Mr Immanuel said the BLP Business Support Grant was designed to assist the MSMEs to grow, innovate and adapt to the...

13 businesses to showcase products at expo

THIRTEEN businesses from Fiji will be participating at this year’s Naturally Good Expo to be held in Australia from June 5-6. A statement from Investment Fiji said it was a collaboration between them, the Fiji Consulate General and Trade Commission office in Australia. Investment Fiji chief executive officer Kamal Chetty said the effort to showcase...

Vision Investments Limited partners with Leadership Fiji

Vision Investments Limited has forged a new partnership with Leadership Fiji, an organisation with the mission of assisting emerging leaders. The partnership was formally signed this morning at the Vision Investments office in Nasinu. Vision Investments CEO Sanjesh Prasad said being associated with Leadership Fiji is considered a great honour for the company. “Leadership Fiji...

House of Mausio | A celebration of Pacific identity and fashion

At just 32, Michael Mausio has already made a remarkable name for himself in Fiji’s fashion industry. His brand, the House of Mausio, is driven by a desire to preserve and celebrate Pacific Island culture and heritage. Born to a mixed heritage — his father of Rotuman and Tuvaluan descent and his mother of Russian...

Hotel partners with Fiji Fashion Week

Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH), Suva has announced its partnership with Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW) for its upcoming annual event. As the official hub of the event GPH will host media sessions, designer workshops, and other exciting activities throughout the duration of Fiji Fashion Week. IHG Hotels & Resorts Area General – South Pacific Lachlan Walker...

Partnership to strengthen products and processes

A partnership between a small Fijian-based business and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) will see the business strengthen the quality and standards of its products. Vegan and dairy free ice-cream production business – Marama Niu – was founded by Kylie Daunoco and Jojina Ah Yuk in 2020. As part...

Banks’ expectations

The Reserve Bank of Fiji expects investment decisions to firm up once tax and fiscal policies are announced in the upcoming National Budget. In its May economic review the RBF said financial conditions continued to support economic recovery amidst sufficient $2.3 billion liquidity. As a result outstanding lending rates remain at historic low levels with...

Call to implement a health tax levy

Health services is one of the reasons people are leaving for better opportunities abroad, says Nadi private doctor Ahmed Shariff. While speaking at a National Budget consultation, the director of Health Masters Pte Ltd said a taxation system needed to be implemented for the health sector to improve and upgrade its services and facilities. “This...

‘Be fair if bringing back stamp duty’

Nadi lawyer Ashnil Narayan is urging Government to implement a stamp duty that would be fair for all. While making submissions at a National Budget consultation this week, the AK Lawyers legal counsel said the removal of stamp duties by the previous government proved to be a disaster. “We had stamp duties at reasonable and...

Investment on hold | Labour shortage affects $20m worth projects

About $20 million worth of investment has been put on hold by McDonalds Fiji because of a shortage of labour. While making submissions at the public consultation on the National Budget, McDonalds Fiji managing director Marc McElrath said the labour shortage was affecting every sector in the country. “We are very worried,” he said. “With...

New fuel and LPG prices come into effect

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) yesterday announced the new regulated fuel and LPG products that will come into effect from today. As per the announcement by the FCCC the new regulated retail fuel prices are: Motor Spirit from $2.74 to $2.80 Premix from $2.58 to $2.62 Kerosene from $1.92 to $1.91 Diesel from...

Access to services

Sugar cane farmers now have an online portal to access services offered by the Sugar Cane Growers Fund. While launching the new mysugarcanegrowers app in Lautoka, Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad said the fund had been an integral partner of the industry for many years. “It is fitting to say that we need this...

Business

6th June